The Nobel Foundation announced today Saturday that he is withdrawing the decision to invite the Russian ambassador at this year’s Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, after the uproar caused by his invitation.

“We choose to repeat last year’s exception to the usual practice of not inviting the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm,” the Nobel Foundation said in a statement.

As far as Iran is concerned, the institution’s decision was taken due to the suppression of demonstrations in that country.

The Swedish institution had announced on Thursday that it would return to its previous practice of inviting the ambassadors of all countries represented in Sweden, which caused a wave of anger.

As he explained today, his initial decision was based on conviction “how it is important and fair to transmit as widely as possible the values ​​and messages that the Nobel Prize represents”. However, the strong reactions that resulted “completely overshadowed this message”.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko denounced the (initial) decision, saying it evokes a “great sense of impunity” on the part of Russian power.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson made it clear from his side yesterday, Friday, how does not agree with the Foundation’s decisionsaying that he realizes that she “bothers a lot of people in Sweden and Ukraine.”

Many leading figures in Swedish politics, such as the leaders of the Center, Green, Left and Liberal parties, threatened to boycott the event in case the ambassador of Russia was present at it.

The ceremony always takes place in Stockholm on December 10, a day on which laureates in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics receive their prizes from King Carl Gustav XVI, followed by a formal dinner with approximately 1,200 guests.

A separate ceremony is organized in Oslo on the same day for the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Last year, the Norwegian Nobel Foundation invited all ambassadors based in Norway to the ceremony and plans to do the same this year.